Liquid Dispenser

ABSTRACT

A liquid dispenser efficiently and effectively delivers a liquid treatment to any site to be treated that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves or cracks. The liquid dispenser can be used to deliver a liquid for treatment of hoof thrush in horses. The dispenser comprises a hollow body and a throat, a removable dispenser cap, a nozzle and a dome-shaped tip comprising one or more liquid dispensing orifices. Also disclosed is a method of treating hoof thrush in horses by dispensing hoof thrush treatment from the dispenser into the grooves and cracks of a hoof to be treated. The nozzle reaches into the groove or crack to be treated. The curvature of the dome-shaped tip allows the broadcasting of the liquid thrush treatment through the orifices into all areas of the groove or crack. Further, the shape of the tip discourages clogging with dirt.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/404,323, titled Liquid Dispensing Cap and filed on Oct. 2, 2010.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The application relates generally to a liquid dispenser. One embodiment of the invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver liquid treatment to any site to be treated that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves or cracks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver a liquid for treatment of a condition in animals to a site that is situated in hard-to-reach grooves and cracks. Another embodiment of this invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver a liquid for treatment of hoof thrush in horses. The dispenser comprises a hollow body and a throat, a removable dispenser cap, a nozzle and a dome-shaped tip comprising one or more liquid dispensing orifices. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of treating hoof thrush in horses by dispensing hoof thrush treatment from the dispenser into the grooves and cracks of a hoof to be treated. The nozzle is of a size to reach into the groove or crack to be treated. The degree of curvature of the dome-shaped tip allows the broadcasting of the liquid thrush treatment through the liquid dispensing orifices into all areas of the groove or crack. Further, dirt does not clog the dome-shaped tip and the liquid dispensing orifices so that they do not require cleaning after each treatment. Accordingly, dirt does not contaminate the treatment in the hollow body of the dispenser.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a device and method of delivering a liquid treatment to any site to be treated that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves or cracks. The liquid dispenser can be used, for example, to deliver a liquid for treatment of a condition in animals to a site that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves and cracks, such as hoof thrush in horses.

Hoof thrush is a disease of the hoof and frog tissue in horses caused by a variety of pathogens. Most manure and dirt contains these pathogens and if allowed to pack into the foot and remain for very long, they attack the hoof. Regular cleaning of the hoof prevents thrush from getting started by allowing air to reach the exposed area.

Thrush poses a constant problem for owners and grooms. Horses that are particularly susceptible are those that are confined for most of their day and not exercised to a reasonable degree. The predisposing causes of thrush are thus unhygienic conditions, dirty uncleaned feet and lack of frog pressure resulting from poor shoeing or poor foot trimming. The diagnostic signs of thrush disease include: (1) a strong, unpleasant odor and an increased amount of moisture associated with the hoof and frog tissue; (2) a discharge of lymph fluid from the sulcus of the frog tissue; (3) a softening and destruction of the frog tissue; and (4) lameness. Diagnosis of hoof thrush in horses is based primarily on the odor and physical characteristics of a black clay-like substance in the sulci of the frog.

If thrush is not diagnosed and steps taken to treat it, extensive damage to the horse's foot may occur. In severe cases, the thrush infection may penetrate the horny tissues and involve the sensitive structure of the foot. In such cases, the prognosis is poor.

Hoof thrush is a constant and significant health problem of horses. It is therefore of great practical importance to be able to provide a method of treating hoof thrush in horses that is fast, simple, effective and humane and which affects a complete cure.

A number of treatments for hoof thrush are available today. Common techniques for treating hoof thrush in horses fall into three overlapping areas:

-   -   1. Removing the cause of the disease by cleanliness and general         improvement in the horse's environment;     -   2. Returning the hoof and frog of the horse to healthy condition         through generally accepted husbandry techniques including: (a)         removal of necrotic frog tissue, (b) increased exercise and (d)         regular and proper trimming of the foot;     -   3. Applying one or more of the following compounds or products:         -   a. formalin;         -   b. tincture of iodine;         -   c. elemental iodine and turpentine;         -   d. hydrogen peroxide;         -   e. antimony trichloride or butter of antimony;         -   f. household bleach (sodium hypochlorite);         -   g. calomel;         -   h. creolin;         -   i. carbolic acid;         -   j. bichloride of mercury;         -   k. copper sulphate powder;         -   l. alum; or         -   m. a host of topical, proprietary remedies.

A number of liquid commercial remedies are available for treatment of hoof thrush. Some of these treatments include Thrush Stop™ by SBS Equine Shoe Bond Systems, Inc.; Thrush Off™ by Well-Horse Equine Organics; Thrush-XX™ Aerosol by Farnam; Thrushbuster™ by Mustad; and Horseshoer's Secret Thrush Treatment™ by Farnam, to name just a few. Homeopathic remedies can also be prepared.

Some of these treatments are aerosols, and at least one treatment is a dry powder. However, most hoof thrush treatments are liquids and must be introduced into the cracks and grooves of the hoof in order to reach and treat the thrush.

A vital step in treating hoof thrush is not so much the remedy, but rather the application of the remedy. The steps in treating hoof thrush are the following:

-   -   1. Make sure all dark-grey or blackish clay-like thrush is         removed.     -   2. It is important to get all the way into the collateral         grooves.     -   3. Be very careful when picking out in the central sulcus         groove. This tissue is very sensitive.     -   4. Get the remedy all the way down into the grooves of the frog.     -   5. Check really well the bulb area with bar, plate and any other         shoes that cover up much of the frog and the grooves.

The hoof needs to heal from the inside out; otherwise the top may dry and look healed. It can be very difficult getting the remedy into the grooves and cracks of the hoof to treat the thrush. Some cracks are very deep and the remedy doesn't reach the source of the thrush. Improperly applied remedy can give the illusion that the hoof is healed. The crack may tighten up and become narrow, even dry on top. However, a pocket of thrush may continue to live deep inside the hoof

Most applicators of thrush remedies do not get into the cracks and grooves to reach all of the thrush. They are either too short or too wide. The hoof can be soaked, but that is very time consuming. Aerosol sprays only cover the surface of the thrush. One old treatment is to stuff cotton into the grooves and cracks, but the cotton can be easily overstuffed, making the horse very uncomfortable. Needles are very dangerous to treat thrush.

Other approaches to treatment of thrush have been documented. For example, U.S. Published Application No. US 20090173288 A1 by Pigg and Frederick et al., titled Adherence-Aided Therapeutic Horse Hoof Packing, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety, discloses a method of treating a horse's hoof having a thrush condition including cleaning the hoof bottom wall of debris; depositing an adherent, rapidly curing synthetic organic resin composition to the hoof bottom wall; dispersing over the hoof bottom wall a small but effective amount of an antimicrobial comprising a metal ion donor; curing the resin composition to a solid on the hoof bottom wall; and removing the cured resin solid after an effective period of treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The application relates generally to a liquid dispenser. One embodiment of the invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver liquid treatment to any site to be treated that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves or cracks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver a liquid for treatment of a condition in animals to a site that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves and cracks. Another embodiment of this invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver a liquid for treatment of hoof thrush in horses. A dispenser for applying a liquid into a groove or crack comprising a body having a base, a hollow body cavity and a throat opposite the base; a removable dispenser cap; a nozzle having a proximal end and a distal end; a dome-shaped tip on the distal end of the nozzle; and one or more orifices disposed on the dome-shaped tip, wherein the removable dispenser cap releasably attaches to the throat of the body and the nozzle attaches to the removable dispenser cap. The dome-shaped tip can have a curvature of approximately 100° to approximately 180°. The orifices may comprise slits, holes or a combination of slits and holes.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of delivering a liquid treatment to any site to be treated that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves or cracks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of delivering a liquid treatment to treat a condition in animals to a site that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves and cracks. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a method of delivering a liquid treatment to treat hoof thrush in horses.

The nozzle of the dispenser of the invention is of a size to reach into the groove or crack to be treated. The degree of curvature of the dome-shaped tip allows the broadcasting of the liquid thrush treatment through the liquid dispensing orifices into all areas of the groove or crack. Further, the shapes of the dome-shaped tip and are configured to discourage clogging with dirt during treatment so that they do not require cleaning after each treatment. Accordingly, dirt will not contaminate the treatment in the hollow body of the dispenser.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are referenced with like numerals.

FIG. 1 depicts the anatomy of the bottom of a horse hoof.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C depict a dispenser according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a removable dispenser cap, nozzle and dome-shaped tip of one embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C depict an alternative embodiment of the dispenser of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict various patterns of orifice(s) disposed on the dome-shaped tip of the dispenser of the invention.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict various broadcast patterns of liquid treatment from the various orifice patterns seen in FIGS. 5A-5D.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device and method that effectively and efficiently administers liquid treatment to any site to be treated that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves or cracks. One embodiment of the invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver a liquid for treatment of a condition in animals to a site that is situated in hard-to-reach recesses, such as grooves and cracks. Another embodiment of this invention comprises a dispenser adapted to deliver a liquid for treatment of hoof thrush in horses. The device and method can be used with any liquid treatment desired by the user.

The following description of the invention is in the context of treating hoof thrush in horses. However the invention is not so limited and persons of ordinary skill in the art will easily understand that the invention can be used for a variety of different situations and treatments.

The invention relates to a dispenser comprising a base, a hollow body cavity and a throat opposite the base; a removable dispenser cap; a nozzle having a proximal end and a distal end; a dome-shaped tip on the distal end of the nozzle; and one or more orifices disposed on the dome-shaped tip, wherein the removable dispenser cap releasably attaches to the throat of the body and the nozzle attaches to the removable dispenser cap. The dome-shaped tip can have a curvature of approximately 100° to approximately 180°. In one embodiment, the throat comprises external screw threads and the removable dispenser cap comprises internal screw threads configured to mate with the internal screw threads of the throat. The nozzle may be fixedly attached or removably attached to the removable dispenser cap. The nozzle may be tapered, reducing in size from the proximal end to the distal end. The distal end of the nozzle comprises a dome-shaped tip and one or more orifices disposed on the dome-shaped tip. The orifices may comprise slits, holes or a combination of slits and holes. The dispenser further optionally comprises a septum disposed atop the throat of the body and under the removable dispenser cap. A nozzle cap may be fixedly or removably attached to the dispenser for capping the dome-shaped tip of the nozzle.

In operation, the dispenser cap and septum (if present) are removed from the hollow body of the dispenser. Any liquid treatment for thrush can be placed in the hollow body of the dispenser. The liquid treatment may comprise a commercially available thrush treatment, or a homeopathic thrush treatment. One or more thrush treatments may be added to the hollow body and mixed together. Once the desired amount of thrush treatment is placed in the hollow body of the dispenser, the septum can be placed atop the throat of the body, if desired. If the nozzle is removably attached to the dispenser cap, the nozzle can be attached and then the dispenser cap can be screwed on to the throat. Where the septum is used, leakage from the dispenser is minimized.

The nozzle is inserted into one of the grooves and cracks of the horse's hoof to be treated for thrush. Due to the tapered shape of the nozzle, the dome-shaped tip reaches well into the depths of the grooves and cracks of the hoof to be treated. The body of the dispenser is squeezed to dispense the liquid thrush treatment into the groove/crack. The disposition of the orifice(s) over the dome-shaped tip efficiently allows the liquid thrush treatment to be sprayed within the groove or crack over the entire area to be treated. It has been found that dirt does not clog or contaminate the dome-shaped tip or nozzle upon removal from the groove or crack. The nozzle and dome-shaped tip do not then have to be cleaned and/or unclogged between treatments, and also the remaining liquid treatment in the body of the dispenser does not get contaminated with dirt.

The dome-shaped tip of the nozzle is sized to be inserted into nearly any crack or groove that may contain thrush. In one embodiment, the dome-shaped tip is no more than about 2.6 mm in outer diameter. The nozzle may have a length from the proximal end to the distal end of around 25 mm to around 35 mm. In one embodiment, the diameter of the nozzle is tapered over its length from the proximal end to the distal end, having a diameter of about 4 mm at the proximal end to about 2.6 mm or smaller at the distal end.

In one embodiment, the dome-shaped tip has a curvature of approximately 100° to approximately 180°.

In one embodiment, the orifice comprises a single slit disposed on the dome-shaped tip. In another embodiment, the orifice comprises two or more slits each disposed on the dome-shaped tip. The slits may be positioned perpendicular to each other in the case of two slits, or may be positioned in other relationships if there are more than two slits. In one embodiment, the orifice comprises a plurality of holes disposed on the dome-shaped tip. In one embodiment, the plurality of holes is randomly positioned on the dome-shaped tip. In another embodiment, the plurality of holes is positioned to form one or more straight lines on the dome-shaped tip. Where the plurality of holes forms more than one straight line, the lines may be positioned perpendicular to each other or in any other relative perspective. In another embodiment, the series of holes may form any geometric shape desired on the dome-shaped tip. In another embodiment, the orifices comprise a combination of slits and holes on the dome-shaped tip.

The dispenser may be manufactured from any material. The nozzle may be manufactured from any material as well. In one embodiment, the nozzle may be manufactured from a material that provides flexibility which makes it easier to insert the dome-shaped tip into the groove or crack to be treated. Some exemplary materials that can be used to manufacture the dispenser and the nozzle include but are not limited to polyethylene terapthalate (PET); high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), or combinations thereof, or combinations with other materials.

Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts the anatomy of the bottom of a horse hoof. Hoof 100 comprises toe 105, toe callus 110, outer hoof wall 115, water line (inner hoof wall) 120, white line 125, quarter bars 130, heel bulbs 135, collateral grooves 140, central sulcus 145, seat-of-corn (heel triangle) 150, heel buttress 155, frog 160 and frog apex 165.

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C depict a dispenser 200 according to one embodiment of the invention. Dispenser 200 comprises a base 210, a hollow body cavity 220, a throat 230, a removable dispenser cap 240, a nozzle 250, a dome-shaped tip 260 and optionally a nozzle cap 280. Throat 230 may comprise external threads 270 that mate with internal threads (see FIG. 3, element 290) on removable dispenser cap 240 to releasably attach removable dispenser cap 240 to throat 230.

FIG. 3 depicts removable dispenser cap 240, nozzle 250 and dome-shaped tip 260 of one embodiment of dispenser 200 of the invention. Removable dispenser cap 240 comprises internal screw threads 290 that mate with external screw threads 270 of throat 230 (see FIG. 2A) to releasably attach removable dispenser cap 240 to throat 230.

FIGS. 4A, 4B and 4C depict an alternative embodiment of the dispenser of the invention. Dispenser 400 comprises a base 410, a hollow body cavity 420, a throat 430, a removable dispenser cap 440, a nozzle 450, a dome-shaped tip 460, optionally a nozzle cap 480 and a septum 490. Throat 430 may comprise external threads 470 that mate with internal threads (see FIG. 3, element 290) on removable dispenser cap 440 to releasably attach removable dispenser cap 440 to throat 430. Septum 490 comprises an orifice 495 that retains liquid within the hollow body cavity 420 of dispenser 400 until and unless force is applied to hollow body cavity 420 that forces the liquid to pass through orifice 495 into nozzle 450 and out dome-shaped tip 460.

FIGS. 5A-5D depict various patterns of orifice(s) 500 _(i) disposed on the dome-shaped tip 260 of dispenser 200 of the invention. FIG. 5A depicts orifice 500 ₁ comprising a single slit substantially centered over dome-shaped tip 260. FIG. 5B depicts orifices 500 ₁ and 500 ₂ each comprising a single slit substantially centered over dome-shaped tip 260. FIG. 5C depicts orifices 500 ₃, 500 ₄, 500 ₅ and 500 ₆ each comprising a single slit disposed off-center over dome-shaped tip 260. FIG. 5D depicts 500 ₃, 500 ₄, 500 ₅ and 500 ₆ each comprising a single slit disposed off-center over dome-shaped tip 260, with an orifice 500 ₇ comprising a hole substantially centered over dome-shaped tip 260. In one embodiment (not shown), any number of orifices, whether disposed off-center of or over dome-shaped tip, may comprise slits, holes or any combination or slits and holes.

FIGS. 6A-6D depict various broadcast patterns of liquid treatment from the various orifice patterns seen in FIGS. 5A-5D. FIG. 6A depicts a broadcast pattern 605 for a single slit over dome-shaped tip 260. The degree of curvature of broadcast pattern 605 can be adjusted by the user as desired. FIG. 6B depicts a broadcast pattern 610 for two slits over dome-shaped tip 260. The two slits may be perpendicular or at any other relative angle desired by the user. The degree of curvature of broadcast pattern 610 can be adjusted by the user as desired. FIG. 6C depicts a broadcast pattern 615 for multiple slits disposed off-center over dome-shaped tip 260. The multiple slits may be disposed 90° apart around the sides of dome-shaped tip 260 or at any other disposition desired by the user. FIG. 6D depicts a broadcast pattern 620 for multiple slits disposed off-center and a hole disposed in the center of over dome-shaped tip 260. The multiple slits may be disposed 90° apart around the sides of dome-shaped tip 260 or at any other disposition that may be desired to accommodate a specific treatment for a specific animal or site.

As noted, the device and method of the invention can be used for uses other than treating thrush in a horse hoof. For example, the device and method can be used to treat conditions in other recesses, grooves or cracks or recesses, such as body orifices including but not limited to an ear canal, a nasal cavity, or other orifice. The device and method can also be used on inanimate objects, such as treating mold and mildew in recesses of wood, cement, or other materials.

The foregoing embodiments have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. 

1. A dispenser for applying a liquid into a recess comprising: a body comprising a base, a hollow body cavity and a throat opposite the base; a removable dispenser cap; a nozzle having a proximal end and a distal end; a dome-shaped tip on the distal end of the nozzle; and one or more orifices disposed on the dome-shaped tip, wherein the removable dispenser cap releasably attaches to the throat of the body and the nozzle attaches to the removable dispenser cap.
 2. The dispenser of claim 1, wherein the degree of curvature of the dome-shaped tip is approximately 100° to approximately 180°.
 3. The dispenser of claim 2, wherein the nozzle is tapered from the proximal end to the distal end and a nozzle cap is releasably attached between the throat of the body and the removable dispenser cap.
 4. The dispenser of claim 3, wherein a liquid treatment to treat thrush in the hoof of a horse is disposed in the hollow body cavity of the dispenser.
 5. The dispenser of claim 4, further comprising a septum disposed atop the throat of the body and under the removable dispenser cap, the septum comprising at least one orifice.
 6. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein a single orifice is disposed on the dome-shaped tip.
 7. The dispenser of claim 6, wherein the orifice is offset from the top of the dome-shaped tip.
 8. The dispenser of claim 7, wherein the orifice is a round hole or a slit.
 9. The dispenser of claim 5, wherein a plurality of orifices are disposed on the dome-shaped tip.
 10. The dispenser of claim 9, wherein the orifices comprise round holes, slits or a combination thereof.
 11. The dispenser of claim 4, wherein the dome-shaped tip is no more than about 2.6 mm in outer diameter.
 12. The dispenser of claim 11, wherein the nozzle has a length from the proximal end to the distal end of around 25 mm to around 35 mm.
 13. A method of dispensing a liquid treatment into a recess to be treated, comprising: providing a liquid treatment; disposing at least some of the liquid treatment into a dispenser, where the dispenser comprises: a body comprising a base, a hollow body cavity and a throat opposite the base, the throat comprising external threads; a removable dispenser cap comprising internal threads that mate to the external threads of the throat, wherein further a septum is disposed atop the throat of the body and under the removable dispenser cap, the septum comprising at least one orifice; a nozzle having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the nozzle is tapered from the proximal end to the distal end; a dome-shaped tip on the distal end of the nozzle, wherein the degree of curvature of the dome-shaped tip is approximately 100° to approximately 180° and a nozzle cap is releasably attached between the throat of the body and the removable dispenser cap; and one or more orifices disposed on the dome-shaped tip, inserting the dome-shaped tip and nozzle into the groove or crack to be treated; squeezing the body of the dispenser such that a desired amount of the liquid treatment exits through the septum and passes through the nozzle to the one or more orifices into the groove or crack; and removing the dome-shaped tip and nozzle from the treated groove or crack.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein a single orifice is disposed on the dome-shaped tip wherein further the liquid treatment is broadcast from essentially a single direction from the dome-shaped tip when the body of the dispenser is squeezed.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the orifice is offset from the top of the dome-shaped tip.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the orifice is a round hole.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the orifice is a slit.
 18. The method of claim 13, wherein a plurality of orifices are disposed on the dome-shaped tip, wherein further the liquid treatment is broadcast from multiple directions from the dome-shaped tip when the body of the dispenser is squeezed.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the orifices comprise round holes, slits or a combination thereof.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the dome-shaped tip is no more than about 2.6 mm in outer diameter and the nozzle has a length from the proximal end to the distal end of around 25 mm to around 35 mm. 